Chapter 614 - 344: Hidden Immortal!

She paused, then continued, "Martial Uncle knows the reason?"

She had actually been harboring this doubt for a long time. Not to mention distant events, just take the great battle five years ago when Left King Mu Hage marched north to attack Mengshui Pass. At that time, the pressure on the city pass was immense, with countless casualties every day—both soldiers of the Barbarian Race and the Wei Dynasty. Yet even so, both sides only deployed generals and soldiers, and the highest cultivation among them was only at the First Grade Realm. There was almost not a single Martial Arts Powerhouse at the Grandmaster Realm.

It wasn’t until Xiao Fengchun died at the hands of the Barbarian Grandmaster Wen Kela that Grandmasters within Shu State went to Mengshui Pass. Because of this, the Jianghu of Shu State, including the Xiao Family, suffered heavy casualties in that great battle.

Gongye Bai gave a slight nod and said, "Originally, I was supposed to wait until your cultivation achieved another breakthrough before telling you these matters.

"However, circumstances dictate flexibility. I have no choice but to reveal some secrets.

"Fortunately, your aptitude is excellent, and you are not far from the Grandmaster Realm. Telling you now doesn’t exactly break the rules."

Gongye Bai rarely spoke in such detail. Seeing Xiao Jinghong nod in understanding, he continued: "Of the Nine Grades of Martial Arts, the First Grade is the highest. Above that are the Grandmaster and Land Immortal Realms.

"Each realm is an entirely different world, and the lethality of Martial Arts multiplies several times over.

"Take you, for example. With an Upper Second Grade cultivation, you can already fly through the skies and burrow through the earth, not to mention powerhouses at the Grandmaster Realm."

Gongye Bai slightly lifted his head, looking at the full moon in the night sky. With a somewhat complicated expression, he said, "To prevent damage to the world, a millennium ago, several Land Immortals from the Central Plains, the Barbarian Race, the western Yi Race, and others established a rule.

"Anyone above the First Grade is forbidden from participating in secular disputes."

He paused briefly, looking at Xiao Jinghong as he added, "Of course, there are exceptions. Sparring and dueling are not included in this."

A look of realization appeared in Xiao Jinghong’s eyes as she understood. But soon, she thought of a question. "Since it is a rule, if someone violates it, who will punish them?"

"Naturally, someone will."

"But five years ago, when the Barbarian Grandmaster Wen Kela made a move and killed my parents, why did he..."

Seeing her hesitate to speak, Gongye Bai sighed and said, "This involves what I just mentioned—Debating and Striving for the Lead. Listen as I slowly explain it to you.

"When our predecessors established the rules back then, the purpose was to prevent the various races from fighting with lethal intent during their conquests, which would provoke those in the Land Immortal Realm to fight all out and suffer Celestial Punishments.

"At the same time, they also knew that friction between the races was inevitable, so they set down rules to be jointly observed by all.

"The first is what I just mentioned—experts with cultivation above the First Grade are strictly prohibited from intervening in secular disputes.

"The second is that the Land Immortals of the various races take turns supervising the world, carrying out punishments, patrols, and so on.

"This is where ’Debating and Striving for the Lead’ comes from.

"Every hundred years, individuals from the various races whose cultivation and Techniques have reached the Land Immortal Realm will hold a tournament. The winning race gets to supervise the world.

"And the person in charge of patrolling holds the honorable title of ’Hidden Immortal.’"

Gongye Bai looked at Xiao Jinghong and lamented, "It’s a great pity that currently, it’s the Barbarian Race that is patrolling and supervising.

"Therefore, after Wen Kela made his move five years ago, he didn’t receive an overly severe punishment.

"However, at that time, the Barbarian ’Hidden Immortal’ also permitted the Human Race to have Grandmaster powerhouses appear on the battlefield."

Hearing this, Xiao Jinghong pursed her lips, her hand subconsciously pressing onto the hilt of her sword. In a slightly stiff tone, she said, "Then what is the difference whether this rule was established or not?"

Gongye Bai shook his head. "The Barbarian Race steals what they are entrusted to guard, and our dynasty does the same. The issue is not with the rules, but with the human heart."

He sighed and continued, "Actually, the Barbarian Race acting this way has much to do with our race’s ’Hidden Immortal’ who was on duty during the Qianyang Dynasty.

"At that time, the Barbarian Race still occupied the Shu State, oppressing our people.

"A Grandmaster was passing through the area, and upon seeing some injustices, he stepped in and slew a thousand barbarians.

"That time, our race’s ’Hidden Immortal’ let him off lightly, only punishing that Grandmaster to face the wall and reflect on his actions for a year.

"..."

Xiao Jinghong was speechless for a moment. She hadn’t expected that such a secret lay hidden behind her parents’ deaths. The Hidden Immortal supervised the Grandmasters of the world, and the Land Immortals of the various races competed through "Debating and Striving for the Lead" to determine which race would hold the position.

Gongye Bai roughly knew her thoughts and comforted her, "Niece Jinghong, the dead have passed on. We still need to focus on the present."

Xiao Jinghong softly hummed in agreement. Lowering her head, she pondered for a moment before asking, "If my cultivation breaks through to the Grandmaster Realm, do I also have to abide by this rule?"

Gongye Bai smiled, shaking his head as he said, "No need.

"The hereditary succession of a Marquis Wu is not included in this, just like the ’Your Majesties’ of the various Barbarian tribes, and the Vassal Princes of the Western Buddha Country.

"Not to mention your cultivation reaching the Grandmaster Realm, even if you attain the Land Immortal Realm, you can still oversee the borders or even conquer the world.

"It’s just that at that time, if your slaughter is too heavy, it will likely attract a siege from the Land Immortals of the other races, sparking great chaos."

Xiao Jinghong stared at him blankly, not expecting that such a secret was hidden behind the inheritance of a Marquis Family. She suddenly thought of the Jing State Liu Family from before; that family obviously had their eyes set on the position of Marquis Wu. She wondered if they were aware of this matter, or if this was the very reason the Xiao Family was coveted by others.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Jinghong suppressed her chaotic thoughts. Looking at Gongye Bai, she asked solemnly, "May I ask why Martial Uncle came to tell me all this?"

Gongye Bai showed a gratified expression, though he didn’t offer any words of praise. He explained, "Two years from now, above the South Sea, ’Debating and Striving for the Lead’ will take place. I hope your master can also step forward."

"Hmm? Master?"

"In past events of ’Debating and Striving for the Lead,’ the Land Immortals of the various races engaged in one-on-one duels. The one with the most victories becomes the ’Hidden Immortal.’

"But currently, although our Great Wei Dynasty has fifteen Land Immortals, most of them are reclusive hermits free from worldly desires, refusing to emerge.

"Take Nun Jingci on Wumeng Mountain, for example. I had to talk until my tongue went dry just to get her to agree to participate."

Gongye Bai sighed and continued, "Furthermore, the duels are incredibly dangerous. The slightest carelessness can result in one’s body dying and their Dao vanishing. So..."

Xiao Jinghong asked in astonishment, "Martial Uncle, there will be casualties?"

"Yes, and not just a few.

"The people of the Barbarian Race place the heaviest importance on their clan’s legacy. They fight with their lives on the line in every duel, naturally provoking our race and the others to fight back with lethal intent.

"Just like last time—of the Great Wei Dynasty’s twelve Land Immortals, only five made it back alive."

Without waiting for Xiao Jinghong to speak, a hint of a smile appeared on Gongye Bai’s face as he continued, "However, the Barbarian Race suffered even more casualties. Out of their fourteen Land Immortals, only three were left.

"If it weren’t for the fact that they earlier sought out experts from the Western Buddha Country, Poshisu Country, Japan, and other places to slaughter and rack up victories, it would have been us taking the seat of the ’Hidden Immortal’ that time."

He looked south towards the direction of the Barbarian Race. "Every twist of fate is preordained by heaven.

"Although the Barbarian Race secured the ’Hidden Immortal’ position, the Land Immortals remaining within their clan could hardly support them marching north to attack our dynasty anymore.

"Otherwise, during that incident five years ago, it wouldn’t have just been Left King, a single Barbarian King, who came, but several of them, or even... their entire race."

Xiao Jinghong finally understood. She now had a clear understanding of the Hidden Immortal matter, and her obsession over Wen Kela escaping punishment had lessened. Their predecessors fought with their lives but failed to overcome the Barbarian Race; it was a glorious defeat. Conversely, the Barbarian Race bought this result with a tragic victory, so it was only right they enjoyed such a convenience.

If they wanted to reverse the situation, they simply had to win the next "Debating and Striving for the Lead."

With this thought in mind, Xiao Jinghong nodded. "Rest assured, Martial Uncle. The next time I see my master, I will definitely inform him of this matter."

It was a pity that two years was too short. If she had more time, perhaps her cultivation and Sword Dao could also step into the Land Immortal Realm, granting her the opportunity to go to the South Sea and participate in "Debating and Striving for the Lead."

Gongye Bai waved his hand. "There is still some time before ’Debating and Striving for the Lead.’ I just want to make preparations in advance.

"After all, your master and I share the same Sect and origin. If something happens to both of us, wouldn’t the Sect’s legacy be severed?"

Of course, these words merely sounded nice. He had disciples and the Wind and Rain Tower; his Martial Arts Techniques and skills were already considered passed down. Li Wudang also had Xiao Jinghong as his successor. It was just that Gongye Bai was worried that if he and Li Wudang were to die, there would be no one left to protect Xiao Jinghong, Shui Hetong, and the others in the future.

Thinking of this, Gongye Bai stood up and walked to Shui Hetong’s side. In a leisurely tone, he said, "A hundred years makes a cycle. Who can rival us?

"As for me..."